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1994 Nissan Altima

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1994 Nissan Altima do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 231.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 16 of 106 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 40 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

34 crash reports2 fire reports24 injury reports

What owners actually said

106 reports
Mileage unknown · Jun 19, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting

1. MY AND EVERY OTHER MID 90'S ALTIMA HAS GOT FOGGED HEADLIGHTS THAT BARELY ILLUMINATE ANY LIGHT THROUGH. HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS PROBLEM? 2. I HAVE HAD THE TIMING CHAIN GUIDE REPLACED TWICE, BOTH TIMES COSTING AROUND $1,500.00 AND IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. I CAN'T AFFORD TO KEEP REPLACING THIS PART OR THE HEADLIGHTS.…

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1. MY AND EVERY OTHER MID 90'S ALTIMA HAS GOT FOGGED HEADLIGHTS THAT BARELY ILLUMINATE ANY LIGHT THROUGH. HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS PROBLEM? 2. I HAVE HAD THE TIMING CHAIN GUIDE REPLACED TWICE, BOTH TIMES COSTING AROUND $1,500.00 AND IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. I CAN'T AFFORD TO KEEP REPLACING THIS PART OR THE HEADLIGHTS. WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS? *NM

NHTSA ODI #10160158

Mileage unknown · Mar 26, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

OIL LEAK FRONT RUBBER O-RING AT THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE. HAD THIS REPAIRED ONCE AT THE NISSAN DEALER 3 OR 4 YEARS AGO. PAID $1200 TO FIX THE FIRST TIME, HOWEVER I'M ALMOST CERTAIN I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRING ALL OVER AGAIN. VEHICLE ISN'T WORTH THE COST OF THE REPAIR AT THIS POINT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10153757

Mileage unknown · Jan 16, 2006
Vehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND APPROACHING US HIGH WAY 1 AND 9. MY WIFE REPORTED TO ME THAT OUR 94 NISSAN ALT. ALL OF SUDDEN STARTED TO INCREASE IN SPEED. IN FULL FEAR OF HER LIFE. SHE STEP DOWN ON THE BRAKES AND PULL UP THE EMERGENCY BRAKES AND THE CAR KEPT TAKING MOTOR POWER AND WAS NOT SLOWING DOWN. AS SHE APPROACHED THE T…

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WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND APPROACHING US HIGH WAY 1 AND 9. MY WIFE REPORTED TO ME THAT OUR 94 NISSAN ALT. ALL OF SUDDEN STARTED TO INCREASE IN SPEED. IN FULL FEAR OF HER LIFE. SHE STEP DOWN ON THE BRAKES AND PULL UP THE EMERGENCY BRAKES AND THE CAR KEPT TAKING MOTOR POWER AND WAS NOT SLOWING DOWN. AS SHE APPROACHED THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL AT STOP. SHE HAD TO TURN LEFT TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT AND SHIFT THE CAR INTO THE PARKING GEAR TO STOP. SO AFTER I HEARD THIS I HAD MY MECH. PUT NEW BRAKES ON THE CAR AND TAKE A LOOK AT THE MOTOR AND I CHECK FOR RECALL ON LINE. THIS MORNING I TOOK THE CARTO THE NISSAN DEALER AND EXPLAINED WHAT HAPPEN ALSO TELLING THEM ABOUT THE RECALL I HAD RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND THEY REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL WANTING TO BILL ME FOR A DIAGNO. TEST BECAUSE MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL NIS 1994. THIS IS A TRUE STORY. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10147831

104,990 miles · Jan 4, 2006
Seat BeltsInjury

VEHICLE: 1994 NISSAN ALTIMA GXE. PROBLEM: SEAT BELT RETRACTOR DOES NOT OPERATE, RETRACT, OR EVEN LOCK UP. IN ORDER TO AVOID AN 18 WHEELER FROM RUNNING OVER ME ON THE FREEWAY, I SWERVED TO THE RIGHT, LOST CONTROL, AND ENDED UP IN A DITCH. ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO PHYSICAL DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, NOR, DI…

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VEHICLE: 1994 NISSAN ALTIMA GXE. PROBLEM: SEAT BELT RETRACTOR DOES NOT OPERATE, RETRACT, OR EVEN LOCK UP. IN ORDER TO AVOID AN 18 WHEELER FROM RUNNING OVER ME ON THE FREEWAY, I SWERVED TO THE RIGHT, LOST CONTROL, AND ENDED UP IN A DITCH. ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO PHYSICAL DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, NOR, DID THE SEAT BELT LOCK UP AS DESIGNED. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD REPLACE BOTH ITEMS, BUT, I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THEM. I EXPLAINED THAT WITH BOTH SAFETY ITEMS NOT WORKING, THIS COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR EVEN DEATH. THEY STATED THAT EVEN THOUGH IT IS A SAFETY ITEM, IT IS ONLY COVERED FOR THE NEW CAR WARRANTY PERIOD. THE CAR CURRENTLY HAS 105,490 MILES ON IT, AND HAS HAD ONLY ONE OWNER SINCE NEW. I HAVE SINCE FOUND OUT THAT THERE ARE MANY 1994 - 1997 ALTIMA'S WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, AND ALTHOUGH WE CURRENTLY HAVE SEAT BELT LAWS IN TEXAS, I AM SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING TAKING THE RISK OF NOT UTILIZING THIS SYSTEM. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. VIN CAN BE PROVIDED IF NEEDED.. THANKS. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10146859

107,000 miles · Jun 23, 2005
Electrical System

MY 94 NISSAN ALTIMA SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED WAS SOMETIME IN APRIL OF 2004. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP SIGN THE CAR STARTED JURKING AND THE ENGINE DIED. I STARTED THE CAR UP AGAIN AND KEPT ON DRIVING FOR ABOUT 1/2 A MILE (I DROVE FOR ABOUT 10 MILES PRIOR TO THIS CAR FAILU…

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MY 94 NISSAN ALTIMA SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED WAS SOMETIME IN APRIL OF 2004. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP SIGN THE CAR STARTED JURKING AND THE ENGINE DIED. I STARTED THE CAR UP AGAIN AND KEPT ON DRIVING FOR ABOUT 1/2 A MILE (I DROVE FOR ABOUT 10 MILES PRIOR TO THIS CAR FAILURE AND THAN AFTER THE CAR WAS PARKED IDLE FOR ABOUT 5 HOURS I DROVE BACK HOME FOR 12 MILES WITH NO PROBLEMS). WHILE DRIVING TO SCHOOL A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER FOR ABOUT 8 MILES I SLOWED DOWN TO TAKE AN EXIT OF A HIGHWAY AND THE CAR STARTED JURKING AND THE ENGINE STALLED OUT AND DIED I RESTARTED THE CAR AND DROVE FOR ANOTHER 3 MILES WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS. THE CAR WAS THEN PARKED FOR 7 HOURS WHILE I WAS IN SCHOOL AND I DROVE BACK HOME 12 MILES WITH NO PROBLEMS. MY BROTHER IN LAW DECIDED TO TAKE THE CAR TO WORK AND HE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM TWICE ON TWO SEPERATE DAYS IN ABOUT THE SAME DISTANCE(8-10 MILES). I DROVE THE CAR TO A MECHANIC BUT HE COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND WAS RELUCTENT IN TRYING TO FIND THE CAUSE TO THE PROBLEM. NEVERTHELESS, HE REPLACED THE DISTRIBUTOR CAP AND THE DISTRIBUTOR ROTOR. I KEPT THE CAR RUNNING IN MY PARKING LOT AND THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. THE CAR RAN FINE FOR 3 HOURS THEN THE ENGINE STARTED JURKING IN BETWEEN 2000RPM AND 3000RPM AND THE ENGINE DIED. I RESTARTED THE CAR AND IT RAN FOR ANOTHER 20MIN AND IT DIED AGAIN AND WOULD NOT RESTART FOR ANOTHER SEVERAL HOURS. I DROVE TO DIFFERENT SHOPS BUT NO MECHANIC WANTED TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE PROBLEM IS HARD TO FIND. SOME MECHANICS MADE SUGGESTIONS ON WHAT MIGHT BE WRONG. SO I REPLACED THE FUEL FILTER THE FUEL PUMP AND THE ALTERNATOR AND I STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. IF YOU HAVE ANY REMEDY FOR THIS PROBLEM PLEASE LET ME KNOW.THANKS. THE MANUFACTURER OF THE CAR IS NISSAN MOTOR CORPORATION U.S.A GARDENA, CALIFIRNIA. THIS MANUFACTURER WAS NOT IN THE DROP DOWN MENU.

NHTSA ODI #10126375

19,100 miles · Mar 18, 2005
Electrical System

DURING COLD WEATHER INTERMITTENTLY THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE DISTRIBUTOR FIVE TIMES, BUT THE CONSUMER WAS STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10115401

63,000 miles · Dec 8, 2004
Structure

CONSUMER STATED THAT THE RADIATOR SUPPORT BEAMS RUSTED. THIS BEAM GOES UNDER THE VEHICLE THAT ATTACHES TO THE ENGINE CRADLE. CONSUMER STATES IF THE RUST CONTINUES ENGINE COULD FALL OUT. A NEW FRAME RAIL NEEDS TO BE WELDED IN PLACE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10103339

Mileage unknown · Jul 27, 2004
Air Bags

I HAD RECALL REPAIRS DONE FOR MY 1994 NISSAN, ALTIMA. THE RECALL WAS FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. AFTER THE AIR BAG WAS REPLACED THE AIR BAG LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE NISSAN DEALER THAT DID THE WORK. THEY CHECKED THE CAR AND SAID THAT IT WAS PROBABLY THE SWITCH, AND IT WOULD COST $1500.00. I TOLD THEM…

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I HAD RECALL REPAIRS DONE FOR MY 1994 NISSAN, ALTIMA. THE RECALL WAS FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. AFTER THE AIR BAG WAS REPLACED THE AIR BAG LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE NISSAN DEALER THAT DID THE WORK. THEY CHECKED THE CAR AND SAID THAT IT WAS PROBABLY THE SWITCH, AND IT WOULD COST $1500.00. I TOLD THEM THAT THIS HAPPENED AFTER THEY DID THE RECALL. BUT, THEY DID NOT WANT TO DO ANYTHING FOR ME. THIS HAS BEEN SEVERAL MONTHS AGO. I WILL GET THE EXACT DATE. THE DATE BELOW IS A GUESSTIMATE. BUT, THE WORK WAS DONE AT PASSPORT NISSAN IN ALEXANDRIA, VA. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10082793

139,000 miles · Jun 3, 2004
Air Bags

THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG HAS MALFUNCTIONED. A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALER STATES THE "BOX WAS MISS MARKED" AND REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10075648

Mileage unknown · May 31, 2004
Wheels

LOSS OF HUB CAP ON 1994 NISSAN ALTIMA. I HAVE DONE AN INFORMAL SURVEY AND 60% OFTHESE 1994 NISSAN ALTIMAS IN THE DALLAS METROPLEX DRIVE AROUND WITH AT LEAST ONE MISSING HUB CAP! I MADE A JOKE OUT OF IT AND ALWAYS POINT IT OUT TOMY WIFE WHEN DRIVING AROUND, ITS LIKE A GAME NOW TO GO AROUND OTHER ALTIMAS ON BOTH SIDES ON THE FREE…

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LOSS OF HUB CAP ON 1994 NISSAN ALTIMA. I HAVE DONE AN INFORMAL SURVEY AND 60% OFTHESE 1994 NISSAN ALTIMAS IN THE DALLAS METROPLEX DRIVE AROUND WITH AT LEAST ONE MISSING HUB CAP! I MADE A JOKE OUT OF IT AND ALWAYS POINT IT OUT TOMY WIFE WHEN DRIVING AROUND, ITS LIKE A GAME NOW TO GO AROUND OTHER ALTIMAS ON BOTH SIDES ON THE FREEWAY ANDTHEN I TELL MY WIFE, SEE THERES ANOTHER ONE! I WORK NEXT TO NISSAN DEALER AND WHEN I AM IN THE SHOP I ALWAYS TELL THE MECHANICS JOKINGLY SEE THERES ANOTHER ALTIMA WITHOUT AHUB CAP AND THEY ALWAYS LAUGH IT OFF, I DONT MAKE A BIG DEAL OFIT SINCE THEY GAVE ME TWO NEW (DIFFERENT) HUB CAPS. BUT IN THE INTEREST OF NATIONAL SAFETY THESE CARS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND WHEELS SHOULD BE INSTALLED WITHOUT HUBCAPS SO THESE BABIES DONT POP OF AGAIN AND ENDANGER FELLOW ROAD USERS! ITSABUMMER THIS NEEEDS TO BE DONE 10 YEARS LATER!*AK

NHTSA ODI #10074557

Official recalls

2

03V150000 · Air Bags:frontal

Apr 25, 2003

NISSAN IS RECALLING MY 1994 AND EARLY 1995 ALTIMA VEHICLES FOLLOWING REPORTS THAT PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS IN THESE VEHICLES HAD CAUSED A NUMBER OF MODERATE-TO-SEVERE EYE INJURIES. NISSAN HAS DEVELOPED A NEW PASSENGER AIR BAG THAT IS LESS POWERFUL WHEN IT INFLATES IN A CRASH TO REDUCE THE RISK OF AIR BAG INFLATION-RELATED INJURIES.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: NISSAN EXPECTS THAT THIS NEW AIR BAG CAN HELP REDUCE THE RISK OF AIR BAG INFLATION-RELATED INJURIES.

Remedy: NISSAN WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AT NO CHARGE TO THE CONSUMER. THE MANUFACTURER HAS REPORTED THAT OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 28, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

94V035000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Feb 28, 1994

ENGINE MOVEMENT CAN BE TRANSMITTED TO THE AIRFLOW METER/FILTER HOUSING AND SUPPORT BRACKET, WHICH IS MOUNTED IN THE ENGINE AIR DUCT, CAUSING THE THROTTLE CABLE HOUSING TO PULL OUT OF THE CABLE GUIDE. THIS MAY PREVENT THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS RELEASED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy: NISSAN WILL REPOSITION THE THROTTLE CABLE HOUSING IN THE SUPPORT BRACKET TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SLACK FOR ENGINE MOVEMENT. A RUBBER STOPPER WILL BE CLAMPED TO THE CABLE TO MAINTAIN THE CORRECT POSITION FOR THE CABLE AT THE SUPPORT BRACKET. IN ADDITION, THE THROTTLE CABLE WILL BE TESTED FOR PULL OUT RESISTANCE FROM THE GUIDE IN THE EVENT THE CABLE WAS DAMAGED. THE THROTTLE ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED, IF NECESSARY.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

EA01015 · Passenger Air BAG-RELATED Facial/eye Inj

Opened Aug 9, 2001 · Closed Apr 24, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal

BY LETTER DATEDAPRIL 11, 2003, NISSAN NOTIFIED NHTSAIT WILL CONDUCT A CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULE WITH A DEPOWERED AIR BAG MODULE IN MODEL YEAR 1994 - EARLY 1995 (BUILT PRIOR TO MARCH 2, 1995) NISSAN ALTIMA VEHICLES. THE REPLACEMENT MODULE WILL BE PROVIDED AT NO CHARGE TO OWNERS.THE DEPOWERED AIR BAG SHOULD REDUCE THE OVERALL RISK OF AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT-RELATED INJURIES. THE AIR BAG REPLACEMENT CAMPAIGN TO BE CONDUCTED BY NISSAN, WHICH WILL ENHANCE SAFETY AND BE MONITORED BY NHTSA, SUFFICIENTLY ADDRESSES THE SAFETY CONCERNS RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE ATTACHED REPORT

PE01008 · Passenger Air BAG-RELATED Eye Injuries

Opened Mar 13, 2001 · Closed Aug 9, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal

No summary supplied.

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